Truck Transfer to HFD
At 1347hrs, Truck 27 was alerted to transfer to HFD Truck 1's quarters while they operated on an apartment fire. Truck 27 and Lt. Jeff Byard responded with 5 and 10 additional firefighters remained in Paramount. The Truck ran no calls.
Another Late Night Wreck
At 218hrs, Longmeadow was dispatched along with Medic 75-9 and Rescue Squad 13 for the PIA on Longmeadow Rd in the area of Cherry Tree Circle. Lt. Jeff Byard arrived to find a single vehicle verses a cement wall. The Washington County Sheriff's Department was on the scene searching for the driver and passenger. The driver was located nearby and refused our help, however the Sheriff's Department made him a better offer. The passenger was found about two blocks away when a resident discovered a stranger "watering her flowers". He was transported to Washington County Hospital with minor injuries.
Another Serious Wreck
At about 1600hrs Friday afternoon, Longmeadow was dispatched with HFD Engine 3, and Co. 75 (Community Rescue Service) for the PIA on Eastern Blvd. in the area of Antietam Drive. Rescue Engine 27-2, Special Unit 27 and Lt. Jeff Byard responded immediately after dispatch with a total of 9 firefighters. Engine 3 also responded immediately and arrived on the scene reporting a 2 vehicle collision with heavy damage and possibly several injuries. Lt. Byard arrived and established command. The rescue Engine and Squad 75 stabilized the vehicles for the Medics from CRS. In total, 3 patients were transported to WCH, one of which was a priority 1 trauma. A total of 10 Longmeadow firefighters worked on the scene, while the Chief and Deputy Chief handled a Medic Assist call back home.
Thanks to the Fire Police from HFD that assisted on the scene with the help of our own Fire Police. On another note, this was Lt. Jeff Byard's first command.
Wreck With Entrapment
At about 0030hrs, early Monday morning, Engine Company 27 along with Rescue Squad 13 and Medic 75-9 were alerted for the PIA on the Marsh Pike. Rescue Engine 27-2 and Special Unit 27 each responded with four firefighters, Maugansville's Rescue Squad 13 responded with 6 and Medic 75-9 had 2. 27-2 arrived first reporting a single vehicle into a pole, with one entrapped. Deputy Chief Eckstine established command while 27's crews started patient care and pulled an exposure line. It was determined due to the patient's condition to do a rapid extrication. The crew from Squad 13 accomplished this by quickly removing the driver's door. At this time, the patient remains in Serious Condition at the hospital.
On a side note, this was the first call in a long time where the first piece out was entirely a live-in crew. Congratulations to Matt O'Connell for finally becoming a driver. Also, we're sorry there are no pictures at this time. If Operator 1711 would have paged for the Photo Team, we might have some.
Storms Rip Through the North End
At about 1730hrs, Washington County FRC began taking multiple calls for wires down and trees into houses. The calls soon made their way into our first due. In a 2 hour span, Longmeadow ran about 12 calls. Most of these were for wires or other hazardous conditions. At the peak of the storm, Co 27 had all our rigs on the air with the exception of the Utility. And about 15 to 20 members staffed the units and the station. Deputy Chief Eckstine was quoted as saying, "I thought Longmeadow handled this storm very well. I also thought Communications did an excellent job!!"
Another Trip to Greencastle
At about 1440hrs today, Truck 27 was again alerted to assist Franklin County Company 3 (Greencastle). The Truck was alerted as part of the Task Force 3 assignment for the commercial building fire. Truck 27 responded with 5 under the direction of Chief Ricker. Command 3 (Chief 3) held Co. 3 and 8 (Marion) and Truck 27 for about an hour for overhaul. The Truck laddered the roof to check for extension with nothing found. We're starting to get used to these trips North. Check out Greencastle's website for some pictures of our "Green" Truck working next to their "Orange" rigs-
Transfer to Greencastle
On Monday night, Longmeadow sent 5 firefighters to Franklin County Company 3- Greencastle. The crew staffed Co. 3 rigs while their manpower was working their carnival. Of course, the crew ran zero calls over the 6 hours. For some reason, it seems like we've been running to Franklin County a bit more often lately. We always enjoy the ride up Route 11, or out Hollowell Church Road.
Meanwhile, in Paramount, about 15 firefighters took the opportunity to preplan and tour a new office building in our first due. Thanks to Captain Latimer for setting everything up.
Summer Slow Down
Although we haven't had many interesting calls lately, we have been putting up above average numbers. Most of those numbers come from EMS calls.
July 10th was a busy day with 6 calls. One of those was to assist Franklin County Co. 3 (Greencastle) with a vehicle fire endangering a structure. Truck 27 and Engine 27-1 responded with 10 firefighters, while 4 more remained in Paramount. The fire was handled by Co. 3.
We were also alerted to assist our friends to the North with an electrical fire in the commercial building in Greencastle on the 13th. Again, the Truck was canceled before arrival.
Deputy Chief Eckstine has taken some of this time to work on driver's training. Firefighters O'Connell and Hurley and Sergeant Turner have all been working towards getting cleared on different rigs.
FF O'Connell in Training... The Special Unit awaits its next EMS run...
Submitted by MA Byard
"Mile Long" Yard Sale...
On Tuesday, the 4th of July, thousands of people descended on Paramount for the annual "Mile" Long Yard Sale. Firefighters and members from Longmeadow have taken this event and turned it into a great fundraiser. We seem to do better each year. This year Momma Burger's breakfast sandwiches sold out early, and she had to send a runner out for more burgers and dogs. The grills were working non-stop, as were the car parkers. Thanks Rachel for planning the food sales.
The Longmeadow Volunteer Fire Company would like to thank Boat U.S. (Boat America) for the use of their fields for parking. This helped us raise funds, but it also seemed to help with much of the traffic gridlock on the East end of Longmeadow Road by eliminating a lot of the double parking. We'd also like to thank them for letting us provide their great workers with lunch!!
We'd also like to thank the vendors who rented space from us. Check back next year, we're always working to increase sales space and make it a better event for our vendors as well.
Finally, thanks to Deputy Eckstine for all the hard work he put into this event. As usual, he pulled through. Big Mike, keep practicing with those hot dog rolls. Enjoy the pictures-
Story by MA Byard, Pictures by several members.
Pictures Added from HFD 2 Alarmer
New pictures have been added from the fire in Hagerstown on 21 June. Scroll down a couple stories to see them. Thanks again to Spitty and the Washington County Photo Team for the great pictures. Check out their site-
Transfer to Sharpsburg, MD
At 11Am, Saturday morning, Engine 27-1 under the direction of Assistant Chief Adam Hopkins transferred to Co. 1 (Sharpsburg) to cover their area while they stood by on the Antietam Battlefield for the annual fireworks show. This event brings 30,000 people to the area, making the roads impassable at certain times through out the day. Co. 1 commits their entire fleet of rigs on the Battlefield property, so Longmeadow covered their first due. Zero runs were made during the 11 hour transfer.
Upon returning from the transfer, Engine 27-1 encountered nothing. Nothing at all. Really. Engine 27-1 returned to Paramount by 12:30AM.
Pictures / stories by MA Byard, JE Eckstine, AA Hopkins.